WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:01.500 --> 00:00:07.710 Shannon Putman: Hello and welcome everybody to another fantastic episode of Putin's podcast Pops. 00:00:08.100 --> 00:00:15.900 I am so excited to be here with Marco, the head of VR experts for the us. 00:00:16.290 --> 00:00:18.090 Now you'll notice I did not say his last name. 00:00:18.090 --> 00:00:22.500 That's because I did not wanna butcher it, so I'm going to allow him to fully introduce himself. 00:00:22.500 --> 00:00:24.660 Marco, thank you for being here with me today. 00:00:25.680 --> 00:00:25.950 Marco Janmaat: Yes. 00:00:25.950 --> 00:00:26.730 Thank you Shannon. 00:00:26.730 --> 00:00:27.660 Happy to be here. 00:00:28.335 --> 00:00:28.845 Shannon Putman (2): Great. 00:00:29.355 --> 00:00:29.775 Great. 00:00:30.375 --> 00:00:35.085 Now, a lot of people might not know, okay, what, you know, VR expert, what does that even mean? 00:00:35.085 --> 00:00:36.165 Why is this guy here? 00:00:36.165 --> 00:00:37.965 Why is it important for me to listen to him? 00:00:38.505 --> 00:00:42.675 Could you kind of just let everybody know a little bit about what VR Expert does? 00:00:43.890 --> 00:00:44.220 Marco Janmaat: Okay. 00:00:44.440 --> 00:00:44.649 Yeah. 00:00:44.649 --> 00:00:48.279 So VR expert is, which we call a value added reseller. 00:00:48.279 --> 00:00:54.739 So we help organizations like schools and universities, but also larger enterprises. 00:00:55.385 --> 00:00:56.205 With yeah. 00:00:56.415 --> 00:00:59.504 Integrating virtuality into their processes and systems. 00:00:59.504 --> 00:01:07.245 So in the simplest form you could see that we sell virtual reality headsets like Metas and Picos and HCCs. 00:01:07.785 --> 00:01:15.865 And around that we provide services like installing the headsets or being the support desk in case of issues. 00:01:16.275 --> 00:01:18.075 We are ready to go flight cases. 00:01:18.615 --> 00:01:21.585 Yeah, that's a little bit what we do here and we've been doing that last. 00:01:22.110 --> 00:01:27.940 Six years in Europe and recently around a year ago we started here in the us. 00:01:29.040 --> 00:01:29.550 Shannon Putman (2): Nice. 00:01:30.120 --> 00:01:42.910 So when you say, you know, provide access to headsets and everything, so if I'm a teacher and I wanted to go to get 30 headsets, I can't just go to Best Buy and get them, or do I need to actually talk to somebody who's a reseller? 00:01:43.870 --> 00:01:43.900 I. 00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:46.835 Marco Janmaat: Now I think the answer to that is two folded. 00:01:46.835 --> 00:01:48.875 So I think if you go on for like. 00:01:49.415 --> 00:01:54.885 Your first explorations buying maybe one or two headsets, probably Walmart. 00:01:54.945 --> 00:01:58.015 Walmart or Best Buy are a good choice. 00:01:58.015 --> 00:02:03.205 And I think it always starts with like playing and using and trying. 00:02:03.775 --> 00:02:08.215 But once you start thinking about deploying a little bit larger skills, yeah. 00:02:08.215 --> 00:02:12.985 You say, Hey, we're really, we really want to do dirty headsets in a classroom. 00:02:13.545 --> 00:02:17.025 In that case, a re-seller like us has a lot of value. 00:02:17.455 --> 00:02:20.245 Because you would have to think of things like charging. 00:02:20.735 --> 00:02:21.605 How do you do that? 00:02:21.605 --> 00:02:24.335 Do you, are you gonna line up 30 cables? 00:02:24.485 --> 00:02:26.375 You have to think of things like hygiene. 00:02:26.375 --> 00:02:31.885 So, yeah, all these people use the headset, they get sweaty they wear makeup. 00:02:31.985 --> 00:02:33.905 How can we tackle that kind of problem? 00:02:34.465 --> 00:02:36.475 You have to think about how. 00:02:37.025 --> 00:02:42.815 The teacher, for example, would manage the classroom in a sense of how do we make sure that the right application starts? 00:02:43.235 --> 00:02:56.335 Yeah, I think if you in that case, a reseller like us can really help you and guide you through that process, making sure you make the right decisions and in the end deliver you a complete package. 00:02:56.795 --> 00:03:03.215 Which really then it becomes more of a solution that helps you getting VR to work instead of. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:05.445 30 separate headsets. 00:03:06.581 --> 00:03:07.301 Shannon Putman (2): Absolutely. 00:03:07.481 --> 00:03:26.231 I love how you, you said that it is a solution because people that are new, you know, to the industry, they might have seen a commercial for a thing here or there, or you know, maybe tried Google Expeditions back in the day, and so I don't think they realize how far the technology has advanced and all of the different options that are currently out there. 00:03:27.121 --> 00:03:27.411 Marco Janmaat: Yeah. 00:03:28.106 --> 00:03:29.371 Like I, I think also. 00:03:29.921 --> 00:03:30.131 Right. 00:03:30.131 --> 00:03:42.041 We're still working with quite new technology and if you see how far VR has progressed the last five years, I remember at my first HS, E five, which was, it took me like an hour to set everything up. 00:03:42.431 --> 00:03:43.961 Now that's already became much better. 00:03:43.961 --> 00:03:48.251 If you can see what's right now in a peak of four Ultra or MedQuest three that's amazing. 00:03:48.311 --> 00:03:55.281 Like that we already been able to back up such a compact device, but yeah, there's always still a barrier between. 00:03:55.911 --> 00:04:06.716 Yeah, getting these, you can have great technology but to getting it actually to work for you and to make sure that you can actually use it in a classroom, I think that is a gap where we're trying to help. 00:04:08.686 --> 00:04:19.696 Shannon Putman (2): And one of those barriers that I always saw and that I tend to focus on is the fact that the technology has to come pretty much ready to go right out of the box. 00:04:19.996 --> 00:04:20.536 Especially. 00:04:20.536 --> 00:04:26.026 'cause if it's new technology and then you have to do all this setup and everything, it can be incredibly overwhelming. 00:04:26.356 --> 00:04:31.906 So how do you guys help support educators that are like, look, I just need it. 00:04:31.906 --> 00:04:32.806 I need this, and this. 00:04:33.136 --> 00:04:33.676 What do I do? 00:04:35.026 --> 00:04:40.296 Marco Janmaat: Yeah, so like I think there are yeah, there are two components to, or three components to we, which we help in. 00:04:40.296 --> 00:04:43.476 So first is around the provisioning of the headset. 00:04:43.626 --> 00:04:48.220 So, if you get a headset like from Walmart or like the moment you kind of. 00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:52.140 I'm back at first headset your headset for the first time. 00:04:52.680 --> 00:05:00.510 It can be quite a lengthy process to do that for 30 or 40 headsets and to then make sure that all the apps are on there. 00:05:00.510 --> 00:05:07.410 Now what we do is to kind of that once you receive it, the only thing you have to do is just turn it on and you should be ready to go. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:09.300 So that's a part we do. 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:13.420 And then the second part we do is more focused around support. 00:05:13.630 --> 00:05:14.080 So. 00:05:15.610 --> 00:05:23.370 Yeah, we're quite well known with the fact that maybe the school wifi changed at one point or you can't get your your controller to work. 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:23.800 Yeah. 00:05:23.830 --> 00:05:27.490 And then sometimes it's the battery, which you have to swap or yeah. 00:05:27.640 --> 00:05:30.730 These kind of things we help out and to make sure that all goes all smooth. 00:05:31.390 --> 00:05:35.820 And the last thing we can help with is normally yeah, more like trainings. 00:05:35.850 --> 00:05:36.240 So. 00:05:36.820 --> 00:05:52.060 In the end, you need also within the organizations and within schools and bigger companies, you need people who are kind of the advocate for the, for this new technology, who drive it, who are enthusiastic, who help their colleagues, again, learn about the technology. 00:05:52.660 --> 00:06:01.330 Now we do a lot of train the trainers, or we make sure that they are, yeah, they have all the tools and all the information they need to do that. 00:06:02.605 --> 00:06:05.515 Shannon Putman (2): It's funny that you said the school network changes 'cause Yeah. 00:06:05.785 --> 00:06:11.815 None of us have ever had issues with the technology working what it's supposed to, or in the schools. 00:06:11.845 --> 00:06:17.115 'cause you know, they build them out of thick cinder blocks, which is so great for wifi and reception. 00:06:17.175 --> 00:06:18.015 I love that they did that. 00:06:18.735 --> 00:06:24.155 Marco Janmaat: I have this joke, I think whenever like I have to shelter somewhere at school is probably a very good choice. 00:06:24.215 --> 00:06:30.495 'cause of the yeah, the reception in school is still in a lot of cases 'cause of the thick walls very bad. 00:06:30.495 --> 00:06:34.245 So switching to hotspot is probably not the solution you want to use. 00:06:34.245 --> 00:06:36.285 You need to indeed be on the school wifi 00:06:36.285 --> 00:06:36.915 Shannon Putman (2): it is. 00:06:36.915 --> 00:06:37.575 And it's true. 00:06:37.575 --> 00:06:46.005 I mean, there's a reason our tornado drills we get down in the hallway because, you know, it it that those thick walls are gonna be protective. 00:06:46.005 --> 00:06:46.305 So. 00:06:46.815 --> 00:06:47.085 Marco Janmaat: Yeah. 00:06:48.840 --> 00:06:49.080 Shannon Putman (2): Yeah. 00:06:49.080 --> 00:06:50.100 No, I appreciate that. 00:06:50.430 --> 00:06:50.970 Definitely. 00:06:50.970 --> 00:06:52.050 I like it for that aspect. 00:06:52.050 --> 00:06:53.550 I love to be safe, don't get me wrong. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:07:08.759 And as somebody who's been in the industry now for a little bit and seen some trends and things like that, is there anything, you know, as the technology's developing that you're particularly kinda hearing about or that you're excited to see where it can go and how people can use it? 00:07:10.204 --> 00:07:19.104 Marco Janmaat: So for me, what is an exciting trend like, which I think is a bigger shift of kind of last years is the BA technology. 00:07:19.284 --> 00:07:35.034 So what you're right now seeing a PICO four ULTRA and a Met Quest three tree is the fact that you can just really see your own room and that within that you, you can see all kinds of animations and 3D environments pop up. 00:07:35.684 --> 00:07:37.634 I find that personally very interesting. 00:07:38.854 --> 00:07:42.934 Development 'cause it unlocks new use cases. 00:07:42.994 --> 00:07:47.194 Of course, originally we had VR headsets, which kind of locked you out of reality. 00:07:47.194 --> 00:07:56.874 You have to put them on in your alone, or we had very expensive augmented reality headsets which were HoloLens and magic leaps. 00:07:57.504 --> 00:08:02.145 And these would give you the possibilities to show holograms in the real environment. 00:08:03.075 --> 00:08:16.125 And recently, since the Quests three, being one of the first, but also the PIKA four Ultra yeah, you can see that right now we can actually kind of achieve what an AR glass used to do with the pass through technology. 00:08:16.315 --> 00:08:26.105 But then for a device of six, $700, so cuts off the price of that technology is only two five which I think is great and. 00:08:27.125 --> 00:08:33.015 I've so for example, I've had a home I play 11 table tennis, which is a fantastic game, I think. 00:08:33.565 --> 00:08:41.225 But it's amazing to just put in my living room a table tennis and just start playing against friends and still being part of the environment. 00:08:41.225 --> 00:08:44.015 I can just still talk to my girlfriend and just kind of play. 00:08:44.645 --> 00:08:49.595 I think that, and I think that also that has a lot of opportunities for education and for enterprise. 00:08:49.595 --> 00:08:49.985 And so, 00:08:50.645 --> 00:09:06.625 Shannon Putman (2): I love that you brought that up too, because a lot of people fear that, you know, especially in education when we put the kids in the headset, they're just gonna be isolated and in their own world and kind of cut off now from everybody else and things being done in isolation and I love the pa the pass through as well. 00:09:06.625 --> 00:09:07.135 That's one of. 00:09:07.450 --> 00:09:09.280 My things I'm most excited about too. 00:09:09.280 --> 00:09:20.035 But like you said, you can still, you know, be a part of the party, but you now have access to all these things without having to go buy a ping pong table and buy rackets and everything else and everybody gets to enjoy in it. 00:09:21.535 --> 00:09:27.775 Marco Janmaat: Yeah, no, like I, I would never be able to have a table tennis in my house, like, would not be in the options for me. 00:09:27.775 --> 00:09:30.765 So right now, and that's kind of possible with with the mixed reality 00:09:30.765 --> 00:09:31.725 Shannon Putman (2): we're gonna have to get together. 00:09:31.725 --> 00:09:34.155 We're gonna have to have a little, a tournament of champions or something. 00:09:34.605 --> 00:09:34.875 Marco Janmaat: Yeah. 00:09:34.880 --> 00:09:35.505 We should do that. 00:09:35.565 --> 00:09:39.175 Like I, I am I'm always open for a table tennis challenge, so 00:09:39.745 --> 00:09:44.695 Shannon Putman (2): We'll have to bring you guys on down to Kentucky sometime when it's not, you know, freezing and raining all the time. 00:09:45.415 --> 00:09:46.165 Maybe the Derby. 00:09:46.255 --> 00:09:47.095 That'd be super fun. 00:09:47.795 --> 00:09:48.525 Marco Janmaat: that would be cool. 00:09:48.985 --> 00:09:49.285 Shannon Putman (2): Yeah. 00:09:50.470 --> 00:09:51.580 Well, awesome, Marco. 00:09:51.580 --> 00:09:52.390 Thank you so much. 00:09:52.390 --> 00:09:53.530 I truly appreciate it. 00:09:53.560 --> 00:10:05.980 You know, I, when I started this podcast, I wanted to kind of just do anything, you know, ed tech, you know, educational and you've provided a different insight that I really wanted to share and I think needs to be heard. 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:10.965 And so I appreciate you taking the time to come talk with us and share about what VR Expert can do. 00:10:11.805 --> 00:10:13.055 You know, besides you know. 00:10:13.970 --> 00:10:18.380 Working with Putman Consulting and our, you know, product bundles and everything. 00:10:18.380 --> 00:10:22.880 If somebody wanted to, you know, just reach out and find out, you know, some more about VR expert. 00:10:22.880 --> 00:10:30.080 I'm, I'll post the link and stuff too, but is there any place that you recommend they go to, to check out, to see what you guys provide? 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:36.385 Marco Janmaat: Yeah, so the starting point could be vr expert.com with a dash between VR and expert. 00:10:36.985 --> 00:10:40.255 Or they could con contact me at marco@vrexpert.com. 00:10:40.555 --> 00:10:44.835 And yeah we're, we are helping small and big organizations. 00:10:45.705 --> 00:10:52.055 So, if you're looking for one headset, then you're at the start of your discovery, like, Hey, which app could be relevant for me? 00:10:52.470 --> 00:11:06.780 Then we have a team that's ready here to show you all the options, or if you're looking for a little bit larger deployments and you need logistical and distribution services to make sure that each of your employees or each of your learning centers receives the headset in the correct way. 00:11:06.870 --> 00:11:08.870 I think that's where we are well suited to help. 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:12.830 Shannon Putman (2): That was a critical point that you just said too, and thank you for that. 00:11:12.830 --> 00:11:13.190 I think. 00:11:13.505 --> 00:11:17.075 People are also intimidated because they're, you know, 'cause of budget. 00:11:17.075 --> 00:11:21.485 We all know, you know, you gotta have money to get new stuff and technology. 00:11:21.485 --> 00:11:24.605 And they think, you know, I don't have a very big budget. 00:11:24.605 --> 00:11:27.275 I could only get like one headset, it's not even worth it. 00:11:27.275 --> 00:11:32.555 And you're like, no, actually it is, it's okay to have a small budget and to just start with one. 00:11:32.915 --> 00:11:33.605 And so. 00:11:34.235 --> 00:11:42.995 Appreciating that and understanding to not be intimidated, that you don't have to start out with some, you know, massive deployment to get going and that you guys can support them no matter what. 00:11:44.195 --> 00:11:44.645 Marco Janmaat: yeah. 00:11:44.825 --> 00:11:45.065 Like. 00:11:45.575 --> 00:11:50.555 It sounds, it's also part why I really love being to work in this industry. 00:11:50.555 --> 00:11:56.795 I think like, you know, working with new technology and of course budget has a big impact. 00:11:57.165 --> 00:12:00.975 You know, even if you buy one headset, it always starts with kind of like. 00:12:01.575 --> 00:12:11.075 A dream or a vision or some hope of doing something in a more fun or more interactive or a different way than you used to do it. 00:12:11.075 --> 00:12:15.705 And I think that's also yeah, for example to work with you for example. 00:12:15.705 --> 00:12:23.055 Like you've been such a dreamer and such a, trying to kind of change the space and like trying to push and yeah, innovation is always. 00:12:23.805 --> 00:12:25.785 Difficult, and it has rough edges. 00:12:25.785 --> 00:12:32.105 And indeed budget is a thing, but I would like recommend everybody like yeah, just, yeah, you gotta start somewhere. 00:12:32.105 --> 00:12:35.405 Just, you know, get a headset, try things out. 00:12:35.435 --> 00:12:37.295 The technology is really amazing. 00:12:37.295 --> 00:12:39.815 I still remember the first time I had a VR headset on. 00:12:40.425 --> 00:12:44.835 So yeah, like big or small, I would always recommend to just, yeah. 00:12:44.955 --> 00:12:45.825 Get started. 00:12:45.885 --> 00:12:47.185 I think that's the best advice. 00:12:48.085 --> 00:12:48.775 Shannon Putman (2): Just go for it. 00:12:48.895 --> 00:12:49.495 Exactly. 00:12:50.335 --> 00:12:54.955 Well, you are not gonna get away from it, but I always like to finish out with the closing countdown. 00:12:55.285 --> 00:12:58.405 That's where I ask you for your top three random things. 00:12:58.505 --> 00:12:59.615 You're lucky the. 00:12:59.910 --> 00:13:04.380 I already asked the top three elements from the periodic table, so you're not gonna get that one. 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:12.660 But for you, I am curious if you, for three bucket list items that you still want to do. 00:13:12.660 --> 00:13:20.490 So this could be travel, it could be an experience, whatever, any three items that are still on your bucket list. 00:13:20.925 --> 00:13:21.345 Marco Janmaat: Okay. 00:13:21.625 --> 00:13:24.815 Yeah, so I just there's a lot of us stuff for me there. 00:13:24.815 --> 00:13:32.425 'cause I just moved a year ago to the us so that's so, first bucket list item is I still really want to go to the Everglades. 00:13:32.675 --> 00:13:33.455 I've never been. 00:13:33.485 --> 00:13:35.045 So, I'm really excited about. 00:13:35.095 --> 00:13:37.615 It's an easy bucket list, but I think that, uh. 00:13:38.115 --> 00:13:39.225 Accounts for something. 00:13:39.725 --> 00:13:43.055 The second one is a very difficult one, which is on my bucket list. 00:13:43.745 --> 00:13:47.225 I still have to dream to one day maybe go to space. 00:13:47.735 --> 00:13:55.425 I wanna see if I can pass the orbit, like, go like, I don't know which shape, form, or if it ever will be possible. 00:13:55.485 --> 00:13:57.945 And I don't have to say for days, just a little bit is enough. 00:13:58.305 --> 00:13:58.785 Shannon Putman (2): Okay. 00:13:58.965 --> 00:14:00.555 Marco Janmaat: but that one is definitely on the list. 00:14:01.895 --> 00:14:02.255 Yeah. 00:14:02.255 --> 00:14:10.275 And yeah, that, that's, it's also very different, but, and the Super Bowl, I one day I would like to I don't know, give me a little corner seat somewhere squeezed in. 00:14:10.275 --> 00:14:12.945 I'm completely fine, but I would like one day like to experience that. 00:14:14.250 --> 00:14:15.360 Shannon Putman (2): I love that. 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:16.290 That's fantastic. 00:14:16.290 --> 00:14:16.680 Thank you. 00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:17.610 Yes, I agree. 00:14:17.610 --> 00:14:18.300 Absolutely. 00:14:18.300 --> 00:14:18.900 Super Bowl. 00:14:18.900 --> 00:14:21.780 Hopefully it will be with the Bills in it, go Bills. 00:14:21.880 --> 00:14:24.010 And I will join you with there for that one. 00:14:24.010 --> 00:14:33.294 And as, as somebody who did her undergrad in Florida and and have been on Alligator Alley and been to the Everglades, it is fantastic and I think that's awesome. 00:14:33.294 --> 00:14:36.154 And I've had never had anybody say that one to me. 00:14:36.154 --> 00:14:36.874 So good for you. 00:14:36.874 --> 00:14:37.804 Just be careful. 00:14:38.344 --> 00:14:44.644 You know, if there's, we always used to say in Florida, if if there's water and it's wet, then there's probably a gator. 00:14:44.644 --> 00:14:46.294 So make sure you're 00:14:46.464 --> 00:14:46.754 Marco Janmaat: Okay. 00:14:46.819 --> 00:14:47.389 I'll remember. 00:14:47.389 --> 00:14:48.079 That's a good one. 00:14:48.169 --> 00:14:48.919 I'll remember that one. 00:14:49.834 --> 00:14:51.064 Shannon Putman (2): Even at Disney World too. 00:14:51.064 --> 00:14:52.934 So, you gotta be careful everywhere, but. 00:14:55.169 --> 00:14:57.749 Well, Marco, seriously, again, thank you so much. 00:14:57.779 --> 00:15:06.884 This has been a lovely time and I always love chatting with you and I, I thank you for being a fantastic colleague, but even more importantly, a wonderful friend. 00:15:06.884 --> 00:15:18.114 And you've been so supportive of me and Putman XR Consulting, and as I've stumbled through this whole phase of trying to be a business owner and everything you've been there for me and I couldn't be more grateful. 00:15:18.114 --> 00:15:20.034 So, so thank you for everything and. 00:15:20.314 --> 00:15:22.884 I look forward to multiple more multiple more. 00:15:23.394 --> 00:15:27.654 I look forward to more conversations and more VR across everywhere. 00:15:29.009 --> 00:15:29.579 Marco Janmaat: Yeah, no. 00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:29.789 Yeah. 00:15:29.789 --> 00:15:31.759 And yeah, I would like to yeah, to thank you. 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:43.399 I think you're exactly what the industry needs more of pushing so much like working so on the ground with teachers being so involved actually in the classrooms and actually yeah, sometimes. 00:15:44.644 --> 00:15:54.624 Even including me, like we're too much time in the office, I would say behind our computers and the amount of time I call you and you're at the schools and you're actually there with the teachers. 00:15:54.624 --> 00:15:56.114 I think that's that's amazing. 00:15:56.114 --> 00:15:58.754 And that's also like why I like this industry that much. 00:15:58.754 --> 00:16:04.694 Like, to see how active you are and like getting people to work with this technology. 00:16:04.724 --> 00:16:08.644 'cause it has so much potential that yeah, it's been amazing to work with you so far. 00:16:08.644 --> 00:16:10.204 So like, I, the thanks is on me. 00:16:10.654 --> 00:16:12.139 Shannon Putman (2): Oh, well, thank you. 00:16:12.409 --> 00:16:16.549 If I wasn't already super red, for some odd reason, I would still be blushing even more. 00:16:17.784 --> 00:16:19.014 Again, thank you so much. 00:16:19.014 --> 00:16:19.734 I appreciate it.